Surfers Ride Waves Miles From The Nearest Ocean

Surfers face many challenges, perhaps most notably sharks, but some of the sports best proponents had to overcome a new test over the weekend in one of Britains most beautiful spots negotiating artificial waves.

Best known for its mountains and hiking, Snowdonia in North Wales hosted Red Bull Unleashed the first international surf competition held on an artificial wave as 2,000 fans flocked to Dolgarrog, Conway.

The winner, 24-year-old Albee Layer, who beat Billy Stairmand in the final, clearly loved the artificial waves and the attempt by organizers to create a stadium-style event for surfing.

I didnt know what to expect coming here, said the Hawaiian.

Its been incredible! Surfing so close to so many people, music playing, heaps of energy in the air, to get the win is crazy. If more events were like this, Id do them! added Layer, who starred in his first film Attractive Distractions last year.

The new competition involves pairs of surfers going head-to-head in a best of five format and while critics of the idea might argue that it cannot recreate the oceans changing moods, the competition is set to return next year.